Artist renderings based on the Kalinin K-7 bomber that was not successful. That third one shows it outfitted with several cannons! Would make an interesting post-apocalyptic relic, a flying "dungeon" that got caught in some kind of time warp for D&D, etc.

So I had this weird dream two nights ago. The internet was one huge dungeon, and each room was a different website. I was in Grognardia when James M. realized that we were being spied upon by Illithids in the ceiling (yeah, made no sense to me either). James decided to abandon "Grognardia Red", as he called it, for "Grognardia Blue", another room that looked the same, except for the colors. In Grognardia Red, everything was either a shade of red, or black, and in Grognardia Blue everything was, of course, either blue or black.

The colors were not garish or bright, instead being very muted and subtle, and even though each room was furnished exactly the same, the color difference really affected the mood and tone. This started me thinking of color in dungeons. Usually shades of grey or brown, I thought of how my players would react to a room like Grognardia Red, and I think they'd be freaking out. They'd just "know" there would have to be a reason everything was red, even if there wasn't.

Last Friday's winner is Issue #100! No surprise, really, as it is one of the most unique Dragon covers produced.

This week Issue #259 takes on Issue #331. There seems to be a "sweet spot" in Dragon covers, a period where the artwork was just superb, and unfortunately both these pieces are past that point. While they're OK, they just don't have the impact that a lot of the earlier covers do. I wonder if people who started playing D&D later feel any different about these magazine covers?

Dragon #259, "the Campaign" by Stephen Daniele

Dragon #331 by Steve Prescott

Vote in the sidebar poll Friday Tournament of Dragons. Winner declared next Friday.

Last Thursday's winner is Issue #63, and here I thought Larry Elmore's piece was a shoe-in!

This week's contest is Issue #164 versus Issue #22. I'm not sure what they were thinking for Issue #22, having a drawing, miniatures, and a photograph all on the cover, but Issue #164 has zombie ninjas! Life needs more ninjas in it!

Showing that black and white can be just as evocative as color, Wednesday's winner is Issue # 184.

Today's matchuo is Issue #235 versus Issue #321. Issue #235 is somewhat historical, being the first 100% digital inage used for a Dragon Magazine cover. Too bad it's not a great picture. Issue #321 is rather confusing to me. I can't tell just what's happening. Are they fighting or dancing?

Dragon #235

Dragon #321 by Arnie Swekel

Vote in the poll marked Wednesday Tournament of Dragons. Winner declared next Wednesday.

So I'm cruising Google for the best definition of Rule Zero I can find, when I come across this on TVTropes.com.

This, however, is completely the opposite of Gary Gygax's intended idea of a DM. In Gygax's mind, the DM is effectively a wrathful god, bent on destroying the adventurers, but in a fair and balanced way. In a Gygaxian-style game, a Player Kill would happen about once every other session, and a Total Party Kill perhaps once every five. The TV character is more akin to modern D&D, in which PK's are rare and woeful events.

This week it's Issue #228 versus Issue #220.Not sure I'd be wanting to go full speed through the forest on a horse, with only a torch for light, while wearing a helmet that restricts your vision as much as Issue #220's does.

The Story So Far
As out adventurers approached the doorway behind which the goblins had Norgard's daughter captive, a blood-curdling scream that turned into a howl was heard. Before the portal could be opened, the cries of dying goblins then silence came next. Entering the natural cavern, a scene of horror greeted the players. Two goblins lay eviscerated on the floor, between them was a large creature, covered in coarse hair with a wolf-like head, clothed in the tattered remains of a dress. Guessing that this was Deliana, Norgard's daughter, transformed into a werewolf, the party hesitated, not sure of what action to take. The werewolf had no such compulsion, and viciously tore into poor little BP (the goblin bagpipe player the PC's were using as a guide), tearing the poor creature in two.

Not exactly sure how to use it, Grimslade the magician boldly approached the werewolf with a sprig of wolfsbane, hoping it would have an effect. It did, and the werewolf morphed into a human female and collapsed on the ground. She was indeed Norgard's daughter, and had been journeying to Elendom with her grandfather when they were ambushed by the goblins.

Two days ago she was attacked by a large wolf as it killed the livestock on Norgard's farm. Fearing that the wolf was more than it appeared, her grandfather decided that Brother Faudron in Elendom was her only chance to avoid lycanthropy. Now with her father and grandfather dead, poor Deliana did not know what to do.

After spending the rest of the night holed up in Grokkus' chamber, the party journeyed on to Norgard's farm. Deliana, after much consoling, decided to join the party after Saren, Tirra, and Mersa convinced her that she could be more than just a poor farmer. Setting out for the town of Elendom, the journey was uneventful.

It was almost sunset when the party arrived in Elendom. After a well-earned night's rest at the inn, the party was directed to Zundus Dashaver, the town scribe and historian. There were questions to be answered about the sword the party had found in the ruins of Zenopus' tower, plus the ivory wizard figurine. Grokkus' short sword also needed investigation, as it was not of goblin origin, and the runes carved into the blade might offer a clue to it's secrets.

Zundus recognized the long sword from local legends, being forged by the elves long ago to combat Avissar Fire-eye, a long dead wizard who despoiled the lands around Elendom. It's abilities are not known, but there elvish script on the blade that only shows up after the sword has been immersed in flame. Zundus translated the text, Maegnas Aen Ester Lhach Dae, Dagnir In Nar Im, "Flame Shadow is my name, for I am the fire's bane".